Day 69: Thunder Bay to Rossport

I decided to combine two of the guidebook's recommended ride days into one. In hindsight I can see why they were separated. Two long steep hills between Nipigon and Rossport made the 176km ride seem much longer.  Add in the heat and I think I consumed a record amount of water today.

All that being said, I really enjoyed today's ride. I ran into several more cross-country cyclists today,  both on the road and at rest stops. We compared war stories and you'll be happy to know the incessant headwind hasn't been in my imagination. Everyone I've spoken to so far has been shocked at the volume of headwind coming through the prairies.

I've found it interesting seeing the different people and  group configurations doing the cross-country trek. Couples have been the largest demographic so far,  followed by buddies on an adventure,  and very few individuals. Of The individuals,  most seem to have hooked up with another person or group along the way. While I enjoy meeting people on the way and hanging out with fellow cyclists, I still prefer to keep my rides solo.

Thunder Bay about to make some thunder last night

Terry Fox Monument

Nipigon River

Rossport campground

Day 68: Thunder Bay

Today I crossed back into eastern standard time, changing my watch for the last time on this trip.

I also crossed the Laurentian Divide separating water flowing into the Atlantic Ocean from water flowing into the Arctic Ocean.

Following that, I stopped by the impressive Kakabeka Falls before finishing the day in Thunder Bay.

Today's ride was a comfortable 160km, and I'll try to cover the same distance tomorrow, although there are challenging hills between Thunder Bay and Rossport so I'll probably play it by ear.

Kakabeka Falls

Highway 17 has long stretches with narrow paved shoulders. You need to be comfortable with giant death machines barreling by within a foot of your handlebars. 

Finally made it back to my home time zone

Day 66-67: Dryden to Ignace to Upsala

Summer is starting to kick in and the humidity is in full force. With my ability to produce a superhuman amount of sweat under normal conditions, I now have to be extra diligent about keeping my fluids topped up. Today was a modest 110km ride but I went through seven litres of water and sports drinks and I still feel a little dehydrated.

Tomorrow I have about 150km to make it to Thunder Bay. My plan is to leave earlier than usual and take lots of breaks to ensure I have plenty left in the tank at the end of the day.

Leaving Dryden yesterday

 Yesterday's destination

 Leaving Ignace this morning,  I ran into a convoy of other cross-country cyclists. That's Gracie bringing up the rear. 

Today's last stop

Day 64-65: Kenora to Dryden

After an off-day yesterday, I made my way from Kenora to Dryden today.

It's amazing how big Ontario is. I had already spent five days riding through the east side of it at the start of my trip,  and I now still have about two weeks of riding to go before getting home. By comparison, the longest it's taken to ride through any other province has been nine days.

There will be a lot of rolling hills between here and home,  but the country is very scenic and so far the weather has been cooperative. The forecast is calling for a lot of rain in the coming few days so well see how that affects my schedule.

The road from Kenora

Destination for the day